Recap: Cleveland vs. Minnesota

Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Nick Swisher clubbed a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning, and the Cleveland Indians went on to post a 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Swisher added an RBI double in a four-run seventh for Cleveland, which opened the season by taking two of three from the Athletics in Oakland.

Indians starter Danny Salazar settled down after giving up two first-inning runs in the no-decision. He gave up seven hits, walked three and struck out four in 5 2/3 innings. Josh Outman (1-0) picked up the win in relief.

The start of Friday's home opener at Progressive Field was delayed 2 hours, 13 minutes due to rain.

Once play got underway, it took the Indians a while to heat up as Minnesota starter Mike Pelfrey (0-1) was perfect through four innings.

Carlos Santana led off the fifth with a double for Cleveland's initial hit, and Yan Gomes ended the shutout the next inning with a leadoff home run to center field.

"(Pelfrey) just kind of handcuffed us, and then (Gomes) stayed on one and a couple hitters later we got the lead," said Cleveland manager Terry Francona.

Lonnie Chisenhall followed with a walk and advanced on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on Swisher's drive to right-center. Pelfrey's outing was done after issuing consecutive walks.

"It just went that quick. I have to talk to (Pelfrey) about it. He just said he lost feel for his pitches," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire.

Reliever Casey Fien retired the next two batters to end the sixth, but the Indians extended their lead against the Minnesota bullpen. Nyjer Morgan hit an RBI single and Michael Brantley ripped a two-run single after Swisher's RBI double.

Brian Dozier had three hits for the Twins, who were coming off a series loss in Chicago against the White Sox. He doubled to begin the game and scored on Josh Willingham's sacrifice fly. Chris Colabello followed with a home run to right-center.

Brantley threw Kurt Suzuki out at the plate to end the second inning. Suzuki was attempting to score on Dozier's single to left field.

Game Notes

Before the game, the Indians announced that they have locked up second baseman
Jason Kipnis to a contract through the 2019 season with a club option for 2020
... Cleveland snapped a five-game losing streak in home openers ... The Twins
have lost seven straight to the Indians.